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The primary objective of this research is to enhance the effectiveness of existing stormwater infrastructure (ponds, channels, inlets, etc.) for containing debris (cigarette litter, tire particles, etc.) and microplastics found
How to effectively capture waste plastic debris (cigarettes, syringes, bags. etc.) prior to discharge from inlets, ditches/curbs, and culvert outfalls to receiving waters that retains designed hydraulic flow characteristics. What
This study would develop a guidebook to help practitioners identify strategies for reducing emissions from the multi-modal freight system, which is a major source of urban air pollution and a
This research would result in guidelines for the design of check dams for stormwater treatment in the roadside clear zone to maximize the retention and filtration of roadway runoff and
NCHRP 25-55 made ground-breaking recommendations for the design and implementation of an enhanced model evaluation process (EMEP) for air quality analyses for transportation, including in particular that model evaluations be
While the MOVES emission model used in project-level air quality analyses can be used to estimate emissions for any road grade, it has not been validated for non-zero road grades
Background concentrations (BCs) for project-level “hot-spot” analyses for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) included in NEPA documentation are typically high relative to the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) set by
This research project would result in the development of a methodology to evaluate the National Register eligibility of post-World War II (postwar) institutional buildings in compliance with Section 106 of
Can standard guardrail be used to (safely) support small wildlife exclusion fencing? Basically we have locations where we have commercially available wildlife fencing right behind guardrail (see image below). This
Objective: Develop methods to characterize and mitigate harmful effects of non-exhaust (tire wear, brake wear, re-entrained road dust) motor vehicle pollutant emissions to water quality, air pollution, and environmental and
An increasing number of DOTs and MPOs are considering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of the planning process, particularly in response to new federal programs addressing on-road GHG emissions.
TNM significantly underestimates, and overlooks, the noise attenuation of 6’-8’ tall solid safety barriers (SSBs) because TNM distributes a large amount of noise energy tall in the vehicle profiles at
The Observations leading to this proposal are 1) that a fibrous material (such as a long-bladed grassy bush or the fur of an animal) can noticeably reduce sound levels from
Transportation agency managers have expressed concern that reduced mowing practices, such as those that benefit pollinators, may increase vehicle collisions with large mammals like deer, thereby reducing driver safety. Though
Wildlife crossings such as overpasses, underpasses, or culverts designed to help animals avoid vehicle traffic can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, protect animals, and help maintain their habitat connectivity. While the benefits
Spurred by information on the increasing urgency of mitigating climate change, as well as an injection of federal funding into carbon emissions reduction strategies, transportation agencies are increasingly developing and
Comparisons of alternative build and no-build scenarios in project-level air quality analyses for NEPA and conformity typically focus on comparisons of emissions and/or ambient concentrations of specific pollutants, including greenhouse
EPA suggested in response to a comment in the last MOVES Model Review Workgroup that grade-specific drive cycle data (second-by-second speeds) be used instead of model default data (which generally
FHWA regulations for highway traffic noise (23 CFR 772) outline procedures for traffic noise analysis and noise abatement requirements for State DOT highway projects. The regulations stipulate that noise abatement
The objective for this study would be to compile information on the state of the practice among state DOTs for using microscopic traffic simulation in support of project-level air quality
Much has been made about the time it takes for NEPA (mostly specific to EISs) processes to be completed with politicians and consumptive industries strongly suggesting NEPA is inefficient, archaic
NEPA is an ever evolving policy since it advocates process and evolving applied knowledge over outcomes. More and more, practitioners are experiencing the infusion of AI into the process and
Since its inception 50+ years ago, NEPA has been subject to criticism – takes too long, costs too much, and so on. As a result, many remedies have been put
Many infrastructure industry providers have migrated towards alternative delivery (in lieu of traditional design bid build approaches) to more quickly and efficiently deliver infrastructure for the public good. As a
NEPA language, and direction, when first created directed project sponsors and federal lead agencies to “summarize” the need for the project. Today, 50+ years later, the focus on need for
Identify and assess up to five projects subject to NEPA where OFD was a paramount focus. Assess how OFD was handled in each, ID commonalities, differences, and outcomes? Conduct interviews
For over 20 years Congress and presidential administrations from both parties have sought to accelerate environmental approval timeframes for transportation infrastructure projects. Planning Environmental Linkages (PELs) were first authorized in
The draft findings of NCHRP Project: 20-05/Topic 54-01 Practices to Identify and Mitigate PFAS Impacts on Highway Construction Projects and Maintenance Operations included recommendations to 1) develop a comprehensive guidance
NCHRP Synthesis 20-05/Topic 53-19 is a project projected to finish in 2024. The focus of the project was on State DOT product evaluation programs (PEPs) to evaluate product potential and
With the goal of having a more consistent national approach for tribal monitoring, issues to address include: • Timing/scheduling • Compensation for travel • Amount of requests of tribes •
• Tied to communication across all the disciplines during project development and construction. • Section 106 is not static piece within the project delivery process, it needs to be done
Transportation projects frequently require mitigation for impacts to natural resources, such as wetland, stormwater, pollinator and reforestation sites per regulatory requirements. Transportation corridors are often located in highly developed areas
This research effort will provide a compendium of DOTs Alternative Project Delivery processes as they relate to noise abatement. Several approaches will be undertaken to compile the compendium: • A
Tribal consultation is an integral part of the environmental review process under NEPA. Successful consultation begins with an effective communication strategy. However, the nature of working with diverse tribal nations
Background Currently, there is minimal guidance from federal agencies on how to conduct noise and vibration analyses specific to wildlife, which results in differing approaches to noise analyses that may
Many bridges that have been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places possess concrete components in need of repair. The Secretary of Interior Standards for concrete repair cannot
Among the many types of on-road vehicles traveling the American highway system, heavy trucks are the loudest frequently-heard noise sources. Comments from residents near highways at project public hearings and
Problem Statement Although current and historical efforts to reduce transportation-related noise have been costly to develop, implement, and enforce, the nature and magnitude of their specific costs have not been
Transportation agencies across the nation are charged with operating and maintaining stormwater infrastructure associated with roadways to ensure runoff is efficiently removed from impervious surfaces and discharged to nearby waterbodies
The objective of this research is development of a Practitioners Handbook for Noise Wall Inspection Procedures During and Post Construction. The completed handbook will provide state highway agency staff and
The objective of this research is development of a Practitioners Handbook for the Noise Analysis Process for Design Build Projects. The completed handbook will provide state highway agency staff and
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